Steve Holm opened the recent DFL Caucus night in St.Charles by performing a song he had written. He had never done something like that before, but the times are calling on many of us to step out of our comfort zone.  Steve, a retired Mayo Clinic IT Lead Analyst, has been playing guitar casually for years, usually strumming anything from country to heavy metal ballads.  But a few weeks ago, he was really upset about the illegal and violent actions of ICE agents—especially the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.  “I was talking with my daughter about what was happening, and after she left, I picked up my guitar and started writing this song, Steve shared”  Steve had been aware of the protest songs written by Bruce Springsteen and others.  He felt that, while those songs might be deeper, they were also darker in spirit.  He wanted something that was more encouraging.  The resulting song is titled “Pretti Good in Minnesota,” and he has dedicated it to all the people in Minnesota who stood up to ICE.  “I wanted to say that around here we don’t retreat into the shadows; instead, we join with friends and neighbors and charge forward with more fervor,” said Steve.   

Steve said that this is not the first song he’s written, but it is the first one he’s performed outside of his home.  When the St. Charles DFL approached him to play the song to lead off caucus night, he decided, why not?   “I’ve always considered myself a real hack,” he said.  “I usually play rhythm guitar, nothing fancy.  But during COVID I really concentrated more, and I’ve become a bit more proficient.”  He has loaded the song onto YouTube;readers can access it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi8ptTfzunI

A lot of DFLers think it’s pretty good!